What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders

While much of our collective attention is on the obesity crisis and how to help our children lead healthier lives, we should not forget a related issue that is also becoming increasingly common in children and can be seriously detrimental to their health and to our families: eating disorders.

Maybe we’re aware of anorexia (severely restricted eating) and bulimia (eating and then purging or using laxatives) and binge eating disorder (uncontrolled eating), but would we know it if we saw it? Would we know how to get help for our children if they developed a disorder?

Eating disorders don’t necessarily look they way you think they’d look. They can manifest as concern about good food versus bad food, as food rituals, denial about feeling hunger, withdrawing from normal activities, extreme weight loss (although children with bulimia may maintain a relatively normal weight), wearing loose clothes, sore throat, or being obsessive about working out. Or children may develop a sudden interest in or obsession with cooking and preparing food, but don’t eat their own creations. They may frequent “pro-anorexia” or “pro-bulimia” websites to get inspired or motivated to be thin. Their eating habits may change suddenly (which may be hard to track if the family doesn’t eat together regularly).

You can get help. First, if you think your child might have an eating disorder, approach them about it. Tell them you are concerned because of the things you have noticed. Listen to them. Really listen. Be prepared to approach them more than once if they are resistant. Then talk to their doctor about it. Or call the National Eating Disorders Helpline at (800) 931-2237.

Eating disorders can be confusing and scary. However, they are treatable. And the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it can be.

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